Chris Christie aims to raise $2M by Dec. 31

Top donors to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s reelection campaign are telling supporters they hope to raise $2 million by the end of the year, POLITICO has learned — a glaringly large figure in the few short weeks since he announced he’s seeking reelection.

Sources familiar with the approach by some Christie rainmakers said donors solicited in the past two weeks were told the campaign wants to bring in that sum by Dec. 31. If they can pull it off, it would exacerbate the already daunting challenge facing any Democrats considering a run against Christie, whose popularity has soared in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.

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Behind the Curtain: Men of Republican Party

Potential challengers include Newark Mayor Cory Booker, who is also an aggressive fundraiser with a large donor base. But Booker looks increasingly likely to skip a gubernatorial run in favor of a Senate campaign, several Democratic sources familiar with his thinking said.

Part of the impetus for Christie to declare his reelection bid this year was to begin fundraising, supporters said. Still, $2 million is a tall order, given New Jersey’s strict pay-to-play laws and the state’s $3,800 cap on donations.

One email to prospective donors asks “founding members” of the Christie fundraising committee to agree to raise $50,000 from 12 donors before New Year’s Eve.